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More than $40,000 raised for breast cancer research

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Fort Wayne, Indiana (October 8, 2008) — Vera Bradley fundraiser draws 400 women to party in pink.

The fifth annual 2008 Tickled Pink Girls’ Night Out raised more than $40,000 benefiting the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast  Cancer at an all-star event held Friday, October 3. More than 440 guests and 60 volunteers came together wearing all shades of pink to have fun and raise funds for breast  cancer research.

Australian pop star Delta Goodrem delighted the crowd with two stellar performances. “You are all angels,” Miss Goodrem, who is a cancer survivor and was especially touched to be a part of Tickled Pink, said to the crowd.

All money raised at the event supports breast cancer research at Indiana University Simon Cancer Center’s Vera Bradley Center for Breast  Cancer Research.

“It’s the first Friday of National Breast  Cancer Awareness month and tonight is about celebrating our friends and our health,” said Catherine Hill, Executive Director of the Foundation, as she addressed attendees. “Your presence here means a lot to us.”

Hill presented a check for $1.75 million to IU researchers. “This represents another incredible year of fundraising activity and Tickled Pink is the perfect time to present our annual gift toward our pledge,” said Hill. This contribution brings Vera Bradley Foundation’s total to $8.45 million toward the current $10 million pledge to support research at the IU Simon Cancer Center.

The ladies-only event was held at Vera Bradley’s state-of-the art operations and distribution center. Guests enjoyed visiting with seven breast cancer specialists from the Vera Bradley Center for Breast  Cancer Research, a sneak peek at the Spring 2009 Vera Bradley collection, including the pattern Hope Garden that will benefit breast  cancer research, a silent auction, and a chocolate fountain and pink cocktails and hors d’oeuvres from 12 local caterers.

“Delta definitely made it special, but the best part for me was seeing people get excited about the new product and having my family there,” said Liz Money, Vera Bradley Product Development trends coordinator. “It’s a special night for just the girls.”

At the end of the evening, volunteers presented a black-and-white silk tote lined in hot pink created exclusively for 2008 Tickled Pink guests. Breast  cancer survivors received an additional gift as well. “They thought of everything,” beamed one survivor as she departed. “I’m definitely coming next year.”

The 2009 Tickled Pink Girl’s Night out is scheduled for Friday, October 2, 2009. For more information, visit verabradley.org.

About the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer: The Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer is celebrating its 10th year of funding breast cancer research. With the endowment of a Vera Bradley chair in oncology, Dr. Linda Malkas at the Indiana University Cancer Center and more than $10 million pledged to breast cancer research, the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer is doing its part to eradicate breast  cancer. The Foundation receives funding through the sale of Vera Bradley breast cancer awareness designs, special events across the nation and through donations on verabradley.org.